--- title: "B-2 Bombers Head West Across Pacific Amidst Iran Crisis" description: "A major B-2 deployment was the key piece missing from the rapid U.S. military buildup ahead of possible strikes on Iran." date: "2025-06-21" modified: "2025-06-21" authors: - name: "Joseph Trevithick" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/b-2-bombers-head-west-across-pacific-amidst-iran-crisis" categories: - "Air" - "Around The Globe" - "B-2" - "Bombers" - "Iran" - "Iran Nuclear Crisis" - "Israel" - "Middle East" - "News & Features" - "Nuclear" - "Nuclear Proliferation" --- # B-2 Bombers Head West Across Pacific Amidst Iran Crisis ![At least two separate groups of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers are currently heading westward across the Pacific Ocean, but their exact final destination is currently unclear.]() *USAF/Master Sgt. Russell Scalf* At least two separate groups of [B-2 Spirit stealth bombers]() are currently heading westward across the Pacific Ocean, but their exact final destination is currently unclear. The bomber movements come as U.S. officials have [been deliberating whether or not to join]() Israel's ongoing campaign against Iran, and President Donald Trump has said a final decision [could come within the next two weeks](). B-2s carrying [30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator]() (MOP) bunker buster bombs are widely seen as [the only readily available conventional option]() for targeting [the deeply-buried enrichment facility at Fordo](), in particular, [short of a ground raid](). ***UPDATE: Around 8pm eastern, President Trump announced the U.S. struck Iran's nuclear facilities. You can see our new post [here]().*** Online flight tracking data, together with publicly available air traffic control audio, shows at least two separate flights of B-2 bombers using the call signs Mytee 11 and Mytee 21 departing Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri overnight, supported by a large force of aerial refueling tankers. Whiteman [is the main operating base]() for the Air Force's entire fleet of 19 B-2s. The stealth bombers headed west and subsequently linked up with additional tankers off the coast of California. https://twitter.com/thenewarea51/status/1936391071430308207 https://twitter.com/thenewarea51/status/1936281319895433481 How many B-2s are in each Mytee flight is not clear, but there are reports that each one contains at least three B-2s. Flight tracking data shows four tankers were tasked to support each group after the initial launch from Whiteman. Earlier this year, two sets of three B-2s had deployed to the highly strategic Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, from where [they flew strikes against Houthi militants]() in Yemen, in what was also a [major show of force aimed at Iran](). https://twitter.com/AircraftSpots/status/1936286086084673837 https://twitter.com/vcdgf555/status/1936288267709956247 https://twitter.com/Andyyyyrrrr/status/1936398778224763302 Signs have been growing for days that a major deployment of B-2s could be imminent. A large force of aerial refueling tankers had been tracked deploying to various locations across the Pacific. C-17 cargo aircraft had also made flights to Whiteman, where they could have been dropping off or picking up personnel and/or materiel in support of an upcoming mission. https://twitter.com/MeNMyRC1/status/1935875100005310825 Starting on June 13, Whiteman had also been closed for operations for scheduled maintenance to the airfield, and had been set to reopen on June 23. However, the reopening occurred ahead of schedule on June 19, after which the C-17 flights began. https://twitter.com/thenewarea51/status/1935849736545669607 As noted, the ultimate destination for the Mytee 11 and Mytee 21 flights is not clear at present. A Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) released yesterday suggested that the B-2s were at least set to refuel off the coast of Hawaii today as part of their onward movement, which has now been backed up by flight tracking data and air traffic control audio. https://twitter.com/thenewarea51/status/1936196350900645917 https://twitter.com/Andyyyyrrrr/status/1936433622245851519 There are reports that the stealth bombers are currently heading to [Andersen Air Force Base]() on Guam. If that is true, some or all of the bombers could still continue on to Diego Garcia or other forward locations. Diego Garcia is one of a very limited number of locations outside of the United States with existing infrastructure to support sustained B-2 operations. https://twitter.com/AircraftSpots/status/1936351184257953906 It should be stressed here that there are no clear indications one way or the other at this time that the B-2s are actively headed to conduct strikes on Iran, although they have the capability to do so without forward basing. This was demonstrated last October when a group of them flew straight from Whiteman to strike targets in Yemen. At that time, *TWZ* also [highlighted the clear signal]() that the marathon mission had sent to Iran. The fact that the B-2s refueled immediately after takeoff could point to them at least having MOPs onboard, as the weight of the weapons requires some fuel to be sacrificed for departure. Positioning the B-2s even in Guam would still reduce the time for sorties to and from Iran, which would, in turn, help the turnaround time for follow-on missions. Each of the stealth bombers can only carry two GBU-57/Bs at a time, and multiple MOPs would be required to neutralize Fordo as part of a sustained campaign. ![]() *A B-2 bomber drops a GBU-57/B MOP during a test. *USAF** It's also important to note that B-2s would conduct any strikes on Iran as part of a larger force package that would include supporting assets to help shield the bombers from anti-air threats, as well as conduct post-strike damage assessments. Combat search and rescue forces would also be part of the equation. The B-2s are already extremely survivable and Iran's air defense capabilities have been severely degraded by Israeli strikes, but that does not mean there are zero risks. At least as of June 19, four [B-52 bombers](), as well as [six F-15E Strike Eagles](), continue to be forward-deployed at Diego Garcia after having arrived there at various points back in May. *TWZ* [was first to report]() on the deployment of the F-15Es, which are there explicitly for force protection purposes. Satellite imagery has also consistently shown tankers, cargo planes, and other supporting aircraft at the strategic island outpost in recent months. The U.S. military also recently repositioned air assets from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, some of which at least appear to have been relocated to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. American naval vessels in Bahrain were also observed putting to sea. These movements would help reduce the vulnerability of the forces in question to potential Iranian attacks. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1936263123742163394 https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1935411685805715903 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1935043088239509807 This all comes amid what the U.S. military has openly acknowledged [as a major force build-up]() across the Middle East, as well as Europe, in light of the current Israel-Iran conflict. Officials have insisted that the recent deployments, which [include airpower]() and [naval assets](), are defensively focused. However, these forces are also now inherently better positioned to support offensive operations against Iran if the decision is made to do so. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1936311030466142423 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1936088659213553712 https://twitter.com/JenGriffinFNC/status/1936120142708052257 “We’re going to see what that period of time is, but I’m giving them a period of time, and I would say two weeks would be the maximum," Trump [told reporters yesterday]() when asked about the possibility of U.S. strikes on Iran. “I think it’s very hard to make that request right now,” Trump also said in response to questions about the possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran to provide space for a negotiated settlement to the conflict. “If somebody is winning, it’s a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing, but we’re ready, willing and able, and we’ve been speaking to Iran, and we’ll see what happens.” "We're the only ones that have the capability to do it — but that doesn't mean I'm going to do it," Trump [had also said on Wednesday]() when asked about a possible U.S. strike on Fordo. "I have ideas as to what to do. I like to make the final decision one second before it's due because things change, especially with war. Senior Iranian and European officials did meet in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday about a possible diplomatic resolution to the fighting, [but the only clear outcome]() was a readiness for further talks. A new ultimatum from the Trump administration demanding Iran abandon domestic enrichment activities and dismantle other elements of its nuclear program, as well as accept new restrictions on its missile capabilities, was reportedly conveyed to Iran at that time. Even just a forward deployment of B-2s would be in line with a maximum pressure campaign to push the regime in Tehran to accept these terms. https://twitter.com/Osint613/status/1936194073368387892 The Iranian government [has already pushed back on the possibility]() of any negotiations while Israeli strikes continue. Israeli officials, for their part, have [also expressed disinterest in diplomatic engagement]() with Iran. As the force of B-2 bombers continues to head west across the Pacific, their ultimate destination at least may become clearer. ***UPDATE: 1:25 pm eastern*** *[Reuters]()*, [*NBC News*](), and *[The Wall Street Journal]()* are now reporting that the B-2s are headed for Andersen Air Force Base on Guam, all citing unnamed U.S. officials. The possibility remains that some or all of the stealth bombers could continue onward to a location like Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. "The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, declined to disclose any further details," according to *Reuters*' report. "One official said no forward orders had been given yet to move the bombers beyond Guam. They did not say how many B-2 bombers are being moved." "However no order has been given to strike Iran, officials say," *The Wall Street Journal*'s Lara Seligman also wrote in a post on X. https://twitter.com/laraseligman/status/1936474264586031543 ***UPDATE: Around 8pm eastern, President Trump announced the U.S. struck Iran's nuclear facilities. You can see our new post [here]().*** *Contact the author: joe@twz.com* ## Author Joseph is *TWZ’s* Deputy Editor, helping to oversee the site’s highly experienced and dedicated team, while also writing informative and impactful defense and national security content. He lives right in the thick of it in the Washington, D.C. area. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Bluesky]()